How to press flowers CREATE YOUR OWN BOTANICAL ART Observe and preserve botanical specimens from your garden with this simple guide to pressing flowers. If you don’t wish to wait the tradtional 2-4 weeks for your pressed flowers, this method uses an iron and gives results in only minutes. (Children must be supervised) Choose your flowers carefully, look for flowers or foliage that is not too thick. Flowers and foliage with a naturally flat surface give the best result.
YOU WILL NEED • Scissors • A heavy book • Plain paper* *Suitable paper includes • An iron printer paper, flat cardboard, • Tweezers plain facial tissues and even non corrugated coffee filters. Paper towels are not idea, as they may leave ridges on the petals.
*There is no need to move the iron in the way you would when pressing a shirt.
Step 1. Use scissors to cut the flower stem at an angle and remove unwanted leaves.
Step 2. Press the flower between 2 pieces of paper and flatten with a heavy book while you prepare the iron.
Step 3. Heat the iron on low, ensuring there is no water in the iron.
Step 4. Once the iron is warm, gently press the iron on top of the paper for 10 - 15 seconds at a time. Cool for 15 seconds and repeat until the flower is stiff and dry.
Frame your new artwork, or use it to create a one of a kind gift card